Keeping in line with the government’s agenda of increasing IT usage in the country HCL Infosystems, India’s premier information enabling company, today announced the launch of HCL’s PC for India – a functionally rich PC priced at Rs.9990. This most affordable PC from the HCL bouquet was unveiled at a press conference by the Union Minister of Communications & Information Technology, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran.

Speaking at the launch press conference, Thiru Dayanidhi Maran said, “Today’s announcement by HCL is in line with the National objectives set in the National Common Minimum program (NCMP) of the Government and the 10-point agenda that I had outlined in the beginning of my term. Improved IT usage and IT production will be critical to our national economic development. Affordability of systems will ensure that the power of computing reaches to every one especially, the homes, education sector and the Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs). We are looking forward to work closely with the industry in increasing PC penetration in the country.”

Speaking at the launch, Mr. Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems Ltd. said, “The launch of HCL’s PC for India is a landmark achievement for HCL. We have taken many first steps to help users realize the full potential of IT in India by enabling affordability and empowering more individuals with the power of computing. I sincerely hope that this initiative will also help us realize the ‘PC in every home’ dream that we have for the country”.

Mr. Ajai Chowdhry was also part of the high-powered working committee formed by the Ministry of Communications & IT recently to submit its recommendations on ‘Improving PC penetration, internet and domestic software’.

HCL PCs come with the ‘Best Assured’ quality that guarantees superior product performance and HCL’s India wide support. HCL Infosystems is India’s first ICT Company with a revenue of USD 1.6 billion (april-mar’05). The HCL’s PC for India range is designed for each Indian who wants to harness the power of computing right from a first time home users in smaller towns to SOHO (Small Office Home Office) users. It will be available at all HCL outlets across the country.

HCL Infosystems has a wide range of PC products starting from Rs. 9990 to Rs. 80,000 manufactured in India and rigorously tested to withstand the rugged and diverse conditions of the Indian terrain. The company has, in the past too, pioneered initiatives that enable the adoption of IT by the masses like launch of PC’s on EMI as low as Rs 499, joint programs with telecom vendors (BSNL) to bundle PCs with Broadband services, and a rural PC.

Differentiating HCL’s PC for India from other low-cost PCs in the market Mr. Chowdhry said “Most of the existing low-cost PCs are either stripped down versions or made of poor quality or counterfeit components. HCL’s PC for India for the first time will offer PC in the sub 10 K price bracket without compromising on quality and functionality. The PC will be backed by HCL brand assurances build over its 30 years of operations in India and country wide support.”

HCL is also releasing in this range PCs based on Intel architecture as well the PCs that come with Microsoft’s Special Starter Edition.

HCL Infosystems has retained its leadership position in the PC business for several years in row. Recent DATAQUEST Top20 Reports 2005 rated HCL Infosystems as the largest PC manufacturer in India with market share of over 13.7% in the ‘PCs and Notebooks’ segment.

About HCL Infosystems

HCL Infosystems, India’s premier information enabling and integration company offers its customers technology solutions across multiple platforms. It has partnerships with some leading global player like Intel, AMD, Toshiba, Ericsson, Microsoft, Nokia and Sun Microsystems among others.

HCL Infosystems has direct customer services center across 260+ locations and two ISO 9001 certified state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. With a mission to provide world-class information technology solutions and services to enable its customers to serve their customers better, HCL Infosystems is forever setting new standards of IT in the country. For more information, please visit www.hclinfosystems.in

About HCL Enterprise

HCL Enterprise is a leading Global Technology and IT enterprise with annual revenues of $2.2 billion. IT Products and Services contribute to revenues of over $1.1 billion. The HCL Enterprise comprises two companies listed in India, HCL Technologies & HCL Infosystems. The 29-year-old enterprise, founded in 1976, is one of India’s original IT garage start-ups. Its range of offerings span Product Engineering, Technology and Application Services, BPO, Infrastructure Services, IT Hardware, Systems Integration, and distribution of technology and telecom products. The HCL team comprises of 25,000 professionals of diverse nationalities, who operate from 15 countries including 300 points of presence in India. HCL has global partnerships with several leading Fortune 1000 firms, including leading IT and Technology firms. For more information please visit www.hcl.in